A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Dart Harbour = Dart Estuary – Its Nature Really Matters


The Dart Estuary, also known as Dart Harbour, is the final tidal section of the River Dart, where its freshwaters drain and mix into the saltwaters of Start Bay. These tidally challenging conditions support special estuarine habitats and wildlife communities such as saltmarshes, tidal reedbeds and the mudflats themselves – all rival tropical rainforests for the amount of carbon that they trap, thus forming parts of our globally important long-term ‘blue’-carbon stores. They are highly productive and specialist communities that need and deserve our care and respect. The Upper Dart is designated as a Marine Conservation Zone and the mouth as part of the coast’s Special Area of Conservation, parts of our national Marine Protected Areas network.


The River Dart has a long ria-type estuary, a drowned river valley, from the last Ice Age - perfect as a natural harbour with its steep-sided valleys and deep waters. With its extensive water catchment area and local climate, the Dart Estuary is more freshwater dominated than most and its water quality is influenced by that flowing down from its catchment, as well as our own uses of the estuary locally as a harbour.


Some of the best ways to enjoy the estuary and discover some of its wildlife is to learn more about it and quietly explore its tranquillity from the water. You will almost certainly see seals and fish-eating birds, all dependent upon the hidden population of fish below - don’t be surprised to see ospreys and kingfishers! The South Devon AONB website provides many free self-guided trails & guides about this special area (visit www.SouthDevonAONB.org. uk). Maybe join an informative local tour - find out more from one of our local Information Centres. DHNA have a leading role within the long-term management and stewardship of the estuary and encourage their customers, stakeholders and the general public to join them in its pride and care. Further information is included within the pages of this guide (and on our website www.DartHarbour. org) - some of our priority issues include:


• • • • •


Water quality


Wildlife disturbance Litter & waste


Habitat loss and erosion Biosecurity


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